Thrust bearing



Aug. 11, 1936. H. A. s. HOWARTH THRUS T BEARING Filed Jan. 14, 1932 6Sheets-Sheet 1 1936. H. A. s. HOWARTH 1 "2,050,887

\ THRUST BEARING Filed Jan. 14, 1932 v e Sheets- Sheet 2 Aug. 11, 1936.H. A. s. HOWARTH THRUS T BEARING Filed Jan. 14, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 3awrm,mwvm

-- iii? H. A. S. HOWARTH THRUST BEARING Filed Jan. 14, 1932 6Sheets-Sheet 4 H. A. s. HOWARTH THRUST BEARING Filed Jan. 14, 1932 6Sheets-Sheet 5 E =2 .1 My

Aug. 11, 1936.

H. A. s. HOWARTH THRUST BEARING e Sheet-Sheet 6' Filed Jan. 14, 1932Patented Aug. 11, 1936 "UNHTED STATES PATENT zts tset Fries THRUSTBEARING ApplicationJanuary 14, 1932, Serial No. 586,680

41 Claims.

.iThis-invention relates to bearings and more particularly tothrustbearings-and means for equalizing and measuring the thrust loads ap-.plied thereto. 2 One of the objects of the invention is to em body in athrust bearing novel means for equalizing the thrusts exerted 'upon thevarious bearing members thereof; which means are constructionallyextremely simple and especially well lc-adapted for cooperation withother mechanism for-measuring the thrusts thus equalized.

Anotherobject is to provide a new and improved adjustable two-shoeequalizing thrust bearing which is simple and rugged in structure,-economica-l'to manufacture and service, and yet efiicient anddependable in operation.

A further-object is to provide s. thrust bearing with anovel arrangementof simple levers whereby the thrusts exerted-upon the various bearing'members may be accurately and easily equalized.

Stillanother-object is to provide novel mechanism for measuring andindicating the net thrust load applied-to a thrust bearing-for a shafthaving two directions of rotation. A still furtherobject is toembody ina thrust bearing for .-a shaft having two directions of rotation-novel'means for equalizing the thrusts exerted uponthe variousbearing membersand mechanism associated therewith for measuring a and indicating thenetamount of the thrust load thus equalized.

Another object is to provide a new and improved equalizing thrustbearing'which includes novel means for continuously indicating theoperative condition of the'equalizing mechanism.

These and other objects will appear-more fully .trom a consideration :ofthe detailed description of theinvention which follows. Although severalembodiments ofthe invention are described and 40- illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, it is to be expressly understood that thesedrawings are iorthe purpose of illustration only and are not .tobeconstruedas a definition of the limits of the invention, referencebeing had for this purpose to 45 the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like .partsthroughout the several views- Fig. :isa side elevation; partly insectionand 50 :with certain parts-broken away :to show details ofconstruction lying in different vertical planes, of

one practical form-of thrust bearing embodying various features of thepresent invention;

. Fig.2. is a composite cross sectional view ofthe ,55 embodiment shownin Fig.- 1, the left half being taken substantiallyon the line ZA-ZA ofFig. 1,-

while the right :halfis taken substantially on line 2B+2Bof Fig. l,certainv parts being omitted and :'others shownin full for the sakeofclearness;

Fig. 3 is asectional plan view taken substanti- 5 ally on a horizontalplane through the axis of the shaft but with 'certain'parts shown infull and other parts-broken away in the interest of clearness;

Fig. 4 is a plan 'viewof another embodiment of 10 the inventionillustrating a self-contained thrust equalizing device adapted for'readyattachment to a thrust bearing, the tend the equalizing mechanismhousing being removed;

Fig. 5 is a sectional side view taken substan- 1 tially on line 55- ofFig. 4 with certain parts shown in full;

Fig. 6. is-an end view of another embodiment of a-thrustequalizingmechanism;

Fig. 7 is a sectional horizontal view of a portion 20 ofctheembodimentof Fig. 6 taken substantially on the line ll thereof; I

Fig. 81s a sectional side: View taken substantially on'line 88'0f Fig. 6with certain parts shown I in full; 25

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic side view, with certain parts shown in section,of a mechanism for measuring andindicating net thrust loads; and

Figs. 10 and 11 are diagrammatic end views of two forms. of thrusttransmitting lever arrange: 30

Y ments which maybe utilized in" the: embodiment of Fig. 9.

Referring firstv to Figs. 4' and 5, there is disclosed therein a novel,self-contained, thrust equalizing mechanism which may be attached anddetached asa unitto and from a thrust bearing of standard constructionas well as embodied in a' bearing as originally designed. The mechanismcomprises anextremely simple arrangement oflevers which may be housed ina casing 40 that can be readily secured to the: housing of a standardthrust-bearing. The type of equalizing mechanismshown is especially welladapted for use with thrust'bearings of thewell known Kingsbury type,and more particularly with bearings of this type for horizontal shaftswherein only two thrust receiving bearing members or shoes are utilizedfor receiving thrustin a given direction, one on each side of the shaftwith their centers of pivotal movement-preferably disposed substantiallyin a horizontal plane.

In the embodiment illustrated, l2 indicates the housing for aithrustbearing for a'horizontal shaft 13, the thrust-bearing being of the usualKingsbury construction having a pair of bearingshoes in thrust receivingengagement with a thrust collar on shaft l3, each bearing shoe beingprovided with a thrust pin, indicated at I4, which extends parallel tothe shaft to the end of bearing housing l2 where it is normally providedwith a jackscrew for adjusting purposes. Where the thrust equalizingmechanism of the present invention is to be used with such a bearing ofthe usual construction, the jackscrews are removed and an equalizercasing or housing I5 is secured to the end of bearing housing l2 in anysuitable manner, as by bolts or screws IS, with the contained equalizingmechanism in position to receive and equalize the thrusts transmitted bypins l4.

As shown, equalizer casing l5 contains a pair of rigid, vertical, thrusttransmitting lever members l1 and I8, located on opposite sides of shaftl3 in line with thrust pins 14, and a rigid horizontal equalizing lever[9, extending above and transverse to shaft I3. Each of lever members I1and I8 is shown as provided adjacent its lower end and in the outer facethereof with a suitable pivot insert 20 which engages a similar insert2| in the outer wall of housing I5 and forms therewith a fulcrum forsaid lever member. Equalizing lever I9 is supported in its horizontalposition adjacent the top of housing l5 by a suitable pivot pin 22secured to and depending downwardly from an overhanging portion 23 ofhousing l5, pivot pin 22 being located substantially in a vertical planethrough the axis of shaft I3 and forming a fulcrum for equalizing leverl9 at a point midway between its ends. Equalizing lever I9 is alsoprovided adjacent each end thereof with a suitable recess 24 in which ismounted a pivot insert 25 adapted to engage one end of a thrusttransmitting pin 26 the other end of which engages a similar insert 21carried adjacent the upper end and in the outer face of one of levermembers ll, l8, the pivotal axis provided by the latter inserts,however, being positioned at right angles tothose of inserts 25. Thethrusts from the bearing shoes are transmitted to lever members I! and[8 at horizontally aligned points intermediate the ends and in the innerfaces of said levers through enlarged heads 28 of thrust pins l4 andpivot inserts 29 mounted in the inner faces of said lever members and inengagement with said enlarged heads. A seperately removable cover 30 forequalizer housing l5 completes the assembly.

With this construction, the various thrusts which are exerted upon thetwo bearing shoes are transmitted through thrust pins l4, enlarged heads28 and pivot inserts 29 to their respective vertical lever members I!and I8 which, in response to said thrusts, are urged about their fulcrumpoints 20, 2|, and through the thrust transmitting agencies of pins 26in turn tend to move equalizing lever l9 about pivot pin 22 in responseto said thrusts. Since equalizing lever l9 thus receives simultaneouslyat its two ends the thrusts from the two bearing shoes, if these thrustsare unequal lever I9 may rotate about its pivot or fulcrum until thethrusts are equalized.

Should, for any reason, it be desired not to utilize the thrustequalizing mechanism thus described, means are provided for renderingsaid mechanism inoperative at will. In the form shown, this may beaccomplished by means of adjustable stop screws 3|, one of which isprovided for each of lever members I! and I8, threaded into equalizerhousing [5 adjacent the top thereof and in the plane of its associatedlever member. By adjusting stop screws 3| to their innermost positionsinto engagement with the outer faces of lever members I! and [8,movement of said lever members about their pivots in response to thethrusts exerted upon the bearing shoes is prevented, thereby renderingequalizing lever l9 inoperative.

Another embodiment of this constructionally simple equalizing mechanismis disclosed in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, this embodiment differing from thatjust described in that the equalizing mechanism is not provided with ahousing or casing, but the elements thereof are directly connected tothe outside of the thrust bearing housing, the equalizing lever islocated below instead of above the shaft, and different means areprovided for establishing the fulcrums of the vertical thrusttransmitting lever members. As shown, the usual jackscrews for the mainthrust pins 32 are removed and replaced by threaded bushings 33 in theform of jackscrews having centrally arranged apertures extendingtherethrough in which are slidably supported auxiliary thrust pins 34having enlarged heads 35 normally in thrust transmitting engagement withpivot inserts 33 adjustably mounted in the inner faces of vertical levermembers 31 and 38 intermediate the ends thereof. Normally said bushings33 are positioned with their inner ends out of contact with thrust pins32 by washers 33 between the heads of said bushings and the casing i2.Each of lever memhere 3'! and 38 is provided with an adjusting screw 39engaging insert 36 and by means of which the position of the bearingshoes and the other elements of the thrust equalizing mechanism may beadjusted.

Vertical lever members 3'! and 38 are supported at their upper ends onstuds 40 which pass freely through the upper ends thereof and arethreaded into the end of bearing housing'i2. Studs 48 also have freelymounted thereon cylindrical sleeves 4| which fit into similar recesses42 in lever members 37 and 38 and engage at their inner faces pivotinserts 43 mounted in the bases of said recesses. 31 and 38 are heldagainst outward movement on studs 4!! by suitable lock nuts 44. Belowand extending transversely to shaft [3 is mounted a horizontalequalizing lever 45 in position to receive and equalize the'thrusts fromthe lower ends of vertical lever members 31 and 38. Equalizing lever 45is supported at its middle portion by a suitable yoke member 46 whichmay be secured to the thrust bearing housing I2 in any desired manner,as by bolts or screws 41, and is fulcrumed at its mid-point by a pivotinsert 48, the edge of which lies substantially in a vertical planethrough the axis of shaft l3. The thrust is transmitted from the lowerends of vertical lever members 31 and 38 to the outer ends of equalizinglever 45 through pivot inserts 49 and 56 mounted in the vertical leversand the equalizing lever, respectively, and thrust transmitting pins 5!interposed between said inserts, a construction similar to thatpreviously described in connection with the embodiment of Figs. 4 and 5.

The manner of operation of this embodiment is similar to that describedabove in connection with Figs. 4 and 5. Should it be desired to renderthe thrust equalizing mechanism inoperative, this may be done byremoving washers 33' and threading bushings 33 inwardly until theirinner ends abut the outer ends of main thrust pins 32, thereby removingall thrust from vertical lever members 31 and 38. Bushings 33 will alsoact as bump- Sleeves 4| and lever members upon the idling oil filmpressures, the total film 'ers in case there should-be any-breakage ofthe equalizing mechanism.

Referring now to Figs. 9, 10'.:and-11,.;there is iagrammaticallydisclosed .thereinmechanism for measuring and indicating the net-thrustload applied to the shoes of a thrust bearing fora shaft which isadapted torotate in both directions. In thrust bearings for shafts-ofthis character, bearing members or shoes are provided on both sides ofthe thrustcollar-so' that the thrust may be takenup irrespective of the.direction in 'which the-shaft is .rotated. Assuming that the '-bearingshoes are adjusted sufficiently close against the thrust collar so thatwhen the latter is turningthere will be a pressure generated in theoilfilm formed on. each face of the collar, if

nothrust load is applied to the shaft, mere rotation thereof will setupequal film-pressures on the two sides of the collar. If, however, athrust load isapplied to the shaft, and. thus superimposed net filmpressure or net thrust upon the bearing shoes is measured, it is a mostaccurate measure of the true thrust load being applied to the shaft.

In the net thrust measuring mechanism diagrammatically disclosed in Fig.9, the thrust collar 52 of the shaft is provided on each facethereof-with a pair of thrust receiving bearing members or shoes 53preferably disposed in a horizontal plane, the shoes of each pair beinglocated on the opposite sides of the axis of the shaft. The

thrust on each shoe 53 is transmitted by means of a thrust pin '54 andis applied against a suitable lever 55, fulcrumed in thrust bearinghousing l2'at'55, through the medium of a pivot insert 5! mounted insaidlever and adjustable by means'of a suitable screw 58.

Slidablymounted in the bearing housing above and parallel to the axis ofthe-shaft and thrust collar 52 is a longitudinally movable rod or bar''member 59 to which all of levers are operatively connected. In theform shown in Figs. 9 and 10, each lever 55 is provided at its upper-endwith an enlarged eye portion 68 which freely fits over rod or bar member59, the two levers 55 on each side of thrust collar 52 having theirrespective eye portions offset so that each may engage member 59adjacent the other. Each end of member 59 is then provided with asuitable lock nut 5! to maintain th upper ends of levers 55 in theirproper positions on said member.

With this construction, rod or bar member 59 will be moved bodily in itslongitudinal direction in proportion to the net thrust load-existing atall of shoes 53. Although the thrust loadson the two shoes on each sideof thrustcollar 52 are not equalized, they are added together andapplied to member 59 through the medium of levers 55 and nuts 5!.Assuming that the main thrust load is exerted against the'shoeson theleft side of thrust collar 52, as viewed in Fig. 9, the addition of thethrust on these shoes'will tend to move member 59 to the left. However,since rod or bar member 59 extends longitudinally of the bearing and isalso operatively connected-to levers 55 receiving the thrusts-existingby reason of any oil film pressures on the shoes on the right side ofthe collar 52, the sum of the thrusts transmitted tosaid member from theshoes on the left side of collar 52 is opposed by'or has deductedtherefrom the sum of theloads'which may be =:generated by the oil films-01i the right side of the collar against the shoes :on' that side.There- 1 sultantimovements: of rod or. bar member 59. are thereforeproportional to the difference between the-active thrustloadandanyopposing load dues?- to' oil .film pressure, whichv is commonly called.the -netthrust load exer-ted on the' bearing.

:Suitable means arethen provided forrindicat ingtheresultant movementsofrod or bar member-59:'as a measure oftthe net thrust'load'. In:

: the form 'shown,:member '59passes freelythrough a'chamber 62. formedbythe .top central portion of bearing housing i2 anda cap member B3, andis provided at its-mid-point'witha collar-64. "The by means :of asuitable pointer membersecured' tocollar 54 and projecting outwardlythrough a suitable openingsiifi in cap 63 into registry with agraduated'scalefi'l calibrated in terms :ofnet thrust-load. The member59is continual- 'ly urged toward "its normal central no-load positionby: means of a pair "of suitable coil springs 68 housed in chamber 52,:one on each side-of collar 64. The: outer ends of springs fiil abutsuit- I able: gland members: 59- which are threadedainto the ends ofchamber 62, thus providing means for adjusting member 59 to its. properno-load position and for originally' placing the-springs 68 -.underanydesired degree of compression. Member 59 may-also'be providedwithsuitable-adjust able stop members it! located'just outside of glandmembers 59so as to limit the 'movementof member 59 in caseof'breakage ofanyof the parts. With this combination of elements, it is evident=-movements of .memberi 59 are indicated visuallyilii that the netthrust load applied to the b'earing shoes at any instant-is accuratelyindicated both as to direction and amount by the relative-posi- 1tionoof pointer'member 55with respectto soale t1.

Suitable: means are also provided for render-n40 ing the net' thrustmeasuring mechanismi inoperative .at'will. As shown, said means comprise"a thrust pin H and jackscrew l2 housed in thrust bearing housing 12inline with each' of the thrust pins 54 and adjustingscrews-'38 ofi5e45levers 55. Accordingly, if it is'desired to render- :the'net thrustmeasuringapparatus inoperative, it is only necessary to screw in onjackscrews 12 until thrustpins H engagethe heads of adjusting screws 58,whereupon the thrust load will be-f transmitted directly through saidelementsto the thrust 1 bearing housing.

InFig. 11 there isdisclosed a modified formfof the thrust transmittinglever arrangement disclosed in Figs. 9 and 10, wherein the two diago-inal levers 55 on each side of thrust. collar 52 are replaced-by asingle, inverted U-shaped lever '13 fulcrumed at its 'lower endsin thesame manner =asindicated-at55 in Figs. 9and 10 and provided withthe'same thrust receiving line ccntact'in ifi'o 'serts- 51 and adjustingscrews-58 as 'previouslydescribed. The upper central portion, or bight,of each -U -shaped lever 13 is provided with a'vertical extension Il-having an eye portion 15 freelymounted on rod'or bar-member 59similarly to eyeportions 60 of the previously described embod ment. Thislevel construction may bev used interchangeablywith that of Figs. 9andlOAin net thrust measuring mechanismsof this character.

Referring now-to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, there isdis- 'closedtherein apractical. commercial formof thrust bearingfora horizontal shaftembodying both'means on each siderof the thrust collar for equalizingthe thrusts on thoseshoeswhich coop-i tical plane through the axis ofsaid shaft.

thrusts upon the two shoes of each pair on each means for measuring andindicating the direction and amount of the net thrust applied to thethrust bearing. This embodiment also discloses novel means for visuallyindicating the operative condition of the thrust equalizingmechanism.

As shown, a horizontal shaft I3 which may be rotated in either directionis provided with a suitable thrust collar I6 which is adapted totransmit the thrust upon shaft I3 to a plurality of thrust receivingbearing members or shoes T! of the well known Kingsbury type which aresupported in and ultimately transmit the thrust thus received to abearing housing I2. The bearing illustrated is of the two-shoe typewherein the pivot inserts I8 of the two shoes 11 on each side of thrustcollar I6. lie in a substantially horizontal plane. Since this bearingis double ended so as to take the thrust in either direction of rotationof shaft I3, thethrust receiving mechanism is symmetrical with respectto a plane throught the center of thrust collar I8 perpendicular to theaxis of shaft I3.

The pivot insert I8 of each of bearing shoes 11 engages the inner faceof the upper end of a rigid vertical thrustv transmitting lever I9 whichrests upon the bottom of housing I2 and is fulcrumed as at 88, a pointon the outer face thereof intermediate the upper and lower ends, bymeans of a thrust pin 8I and jackscrew 82. Since jackscrew 82 isadjustably threaded into bearing housing I2, this arrangement ofelements provides not only a fulcrum for vertical lever I9 but alsomeans for adjusting the position of bearing shoes 11 with respect tothrust collar I6.

At its lower end each vertical lever I9 is in engagement at its innerface with a suitable pivot insert 83 carried by one end of an equalizinglever 84 which extends transversely to and beneath shaft I3 and isfulcrumed at its mid-point by a pivot insert 85 which lies substantiallyin a ver- The side of thrust collar I6 are equalized by equalizing lever84 in a manner similar to that previously described in connection withthe embodiments of Figs. 5-8. The pivot inserts 85 forming the fulcrumpoints of the two equalizing levers 84 rest against the opposite sidesof a rigid bar member 86 which extends transversely to and beneath theaxis of shaft I3 and is supported in the bottom of housing I2 so as tobe bodily movable laterally in response to the thrusts applied theretothrough pivot members 85. The normal no-load position of transverse barmember 88 is substantially in the vertical plane of thrust collar I6,and since the equalized thrusts from the pair of shoes on each side ofcollar I6 are transmitted to the opposite sides of said bar member, thelateral bodily displacement of said member from its normal no-loadposition will conform with the difference in pressures applied theretoat the opposite sides thereof by the axially alined fulcra of theequalizing levers'84, until the resultant of pressure is balanced by theindicating mechanism next to be described, and hence this displacementwill be in proportion to the net thrust load applied to the bearing.

In order that the net thrust load may be measured and visuallyindicated, suitable means have been provided for transmitting andmultiplying to an'easily perceptible degree the lateral bodily movementof bar member 88. As shown, one end of said bar member is provided witha suitable recess8I into which extends the lower end binding screwsindicated at 90.

- crate with the same side of the thrust collar and of a verticalmeasuring lever 88 which is housed in a cored well 89 formed centrallyin one side of bearing housing I2. This lower end of measuring lever 88may be made substantially rigid with transverse bar member 86 as bysuitable Indicating lever 88 is fulcrumed on a suitable pivot pin orstub shaft 9I fixedly mounted in bearing housing I2 intermediate theends of said lever, and is normally maintained in or resiliently urgedtoward a vertical position co-planar with thrust collar I6 and thenormal no-load position of bar member 86 by a pair of coil springs 92housed in suitable recesses 93 in the wall of Well 89 and engaging theopposite sides of lever 88 intermediate its upper end and pivot pin 9I.The pressure of springs 92 may be adjusted by suitable screw plugs 94threaded into the outer ends of recesses 93.

It will be evident that with this construction any lateral bodilymovement of bar member 86 will be transmitted to and indicated by themovement of lever 88 about its fulcrum point. Accordingly, suitablemeans have been provided cooperating with the upper end of said leverfor measuring and visually indicating on a readable scale the amount ofsaid movement of bar 86, which in turn is proportional to the net thrustexerted upon the bearing. As shown, a pair of dial indicators 95 aresupported from a cover member '98 for cored well 89, one on each side ofthe upper end of indicating lever 88 and each having an actuating stem91 in engagement with one side of said lever. Indicators 95 may be ofany desired construction containing the usual multiplying mechanism, andcover 96 is provided with a pair of windows 98 through which thereadings of indicators 95 may be observed. The dials of indicators 95are preferably calibrated in terms of net thrust load.

As pointed out above, the positions of hearing shoes TI may be adjustedthrough the medium of vertical thrust transmitting levers I9 by means ofjackscrews 82 and thrust pins 8|.

However, if such adjustment should be made carelessly, it is possiblethat the equalizing lever 84 associated with the shoes being adjustedmay be moved out of its normal no-load position, which is perpendicularto the axis of shaft I3, to an extent such that some portion of saidlever may come to bear against some fixed part of the thrust bearinghousing and thus render the equalizing mechanism v inoperative. Novelmeans have therefore been provided for indicating the operative, orrelative, position of each of equalizing levers 84 with respect to thenormal position thereof. In the form shown, one end of each equalizinglever 84 is provided with a suitable recess 99 in which is mounted thelower end of a vertical indicating arm I88 which is fulcrumedintermediate its ends as at MI in the thrust bearing housing I2 and theupper end of which registers with a suitable scale I82 which ispreferably visible from the outside of bearing housing I2. With thisconstruction, as equalizing lever 84 is moved about its fulcrum 85,indicating arm I88 measures the extent of said movement on-scale I92,and by a proper marking of said scale the angularity of equalizing lever84 with respect to the axis of shaft I3 may be determined at anytime.Limiting marks may also be placed to indicate when said lever has movedso far out of the normal as to become inoperative by reason of contactwith a fixed portion of the bearing housing. By utilizing a ball fulqwith any of the other parts of the bearing.

crum and a removable scale member which also acts as a cap over theindicating mechanism, as shown in Fig. l, this'mechanism may be readilyassembled and disassembled without interfering It will be understoodthat one such indicator is provided for each equalizing lever.

There is thus provided by the present invention an extremely simple,rugged and efiicient mechanism for equalizing the thrusts exerted uponthe. bearing members or shoes of a thrust bearing, which mechanism isespecially I well adapted for use with bearings embodying two shoeslocated at substantially opposite points with respect to the axis of theshaft. This novel equalizing mechanism employs a compact arrangement ofsimple levers which may be readily attached and detached to and from athrust: bearing as a unit. The invention also includes the provision ofmeans for measuring and indicating the net thrust load applied to a.thrust bearing where the shaft is adapted for rotation in bothdirections and bearing members are required on both sides of the thrustcollar. This net thrust measuring mechanism is also structurally simpleand efficient in operation, and is especially well adapted for use in abearing which also employs the equalizing mechanism previouslymentioned. Novel means have also been provided by the present inventionfor continuouslyindicating the operative condition of the thrustequalizing members, so that this'mechanism may not be inadvertentlyrendered inoperative due to carelessness in adjustment of the shoes orto breakage of any of the parts. The commercial form of the presentinvention embodying all of these various features provides an adjustabletwo-shoe equalizing thrust bearing for a horizontal shaft rotatable ineither direction which is capable of operation in a manner superior tobearings of this general character previously known, and whichcontinuouslyvprovides visible indications of the operating conditions ofthe bearing of a nature hitherto not attained.

It will be obvious that the invention is not lim.-v ited to the formsshown in the-drawings, but is capable of a variety of mechanicalembodiments. For example, any other suitable type of means for showingthe net thrust may be substituted for the forms shown and described, andother forms of force transmitting mechanisms may be'substituted for thespecific lever arrangements illustrated. Moreover, theeoil spring meansprovided' for maintaining the various indicating mechanisms in centralposition may be replaced by other suitable means capable of attainingthe same results. Also, although the invention has been described withparticular reference to bearings of the Kingsbury type, it will beunderstood that it is not limited to this or any other specific type ofbearing but is capable of a variety of different applications.Furthermore, various featuresdescribed may be used separately. or incombination with other features within the scope of the invention. Theconstructions described and illustrated as adapted for application toexisting 7 bearings may, if desired, be built into bearings asoriginally constructed. Various other changes,

which will now be apparent to those skilled in the art, may be made inthe form, details of construction-and arrangement of the parts withoutdepartingfrom the spirit of. the invention, and reference 5 is"therefore to be'had' to the appended clai-mszfori acdefinition of thelimits: of the invention;

What is claimed is 1.- In' a thrust bearing of :the type having: athrustcollar and a pair of thrust receiving bearing members cooperatingwith aface of said collar and located at opposite points'with respect to5 the shaft, means for equalizing the thrusts on said members comprisinga substantially straight equalizing lever extending. transversely: totheaxis of the shaft and having-a fulcrum intermediate its ends, andmeans including'thrust pins for transmitting the thrusts exerted on saidbearing members to the opposite ends of said equalizing lever.

2.-In a thrust'bearing of the type having a thrust collarand a pair ofthrust receiving bearing members cooperating with a face of said collarand located at opposite points with respect to the shaft, means forequalizing the thrusts on said members comprising a. substantiallystraight lever member extending transversely to the axis: of the shaftand having a fulcrum intermediate its'ends', and means including leversfor transmitting the thrusts exerted on said bearing members to saidlever member at points on opposite sides of the fulcrum thereof.

'3. In athrust bearing of the type having a thrust collarand a pair ofthrust receiving bearing members cooperating with a face of said collarand located at opposite points withxrespect to -the shaft,imeansforequalizing the'thrusts on said members comprising a rigid bar-likelever member extending transversely to the axis of the shaft and havinga fixed fulcrum 'at 'its mid-point, and means-fortransmitting thethrusts exerted on said 'bearing members tothe-opposite ends of saidalever member.

4.'In a horizontal thrust bearing of the type having a thrust collar anda pair of thrust receivinglbearing 'members cooperating with a faceof-saidcollar and-'locatedat opposite points with respect to the shaft,means for equalizingv the thrusts on said members comprising a rigidbarlike.equalizing-lever.extending transversely to the axis of the shaftand having a fulcrum. at its midpoint fixed :With respect to the'housingof said bearing and. in the vertical plane passing through theaxisofsaidshaft, and means for transmitting the thrusts exerted on saidbearing members to the opposite ends of said equalizing lever.

53 In a thrust bearing-of the type having a thrust collar and a pair of"thrust re'ceiving bearing members cooperating with 'a face "of saidcollar and located'atopposite points withrespect to the shaft, means forequalizing the thrusts on said-members comprisinga rigid bar-likeequalizing lever extending transversely to the axis of the shaft andhavinga fulcrum at its mid-point fixed'with respectto the" housing ofsaid bearing, and levers for transmittingthe thrusts exerted'on' saidbearing membersltosaid equalizing lever at points equidistant fromand'on opposite' sides of the fulcrum thereof.

6.:In a horizontal thrust:bearing of' the type having: a thrust collarand; a pair of thrustreceiving bearing-members cooperating with a face'of said collar and located at oppositepoints withrespect, to said:shaft, means for equalizing the thrusts onsaid members comprising arigidequalizing bar extending transversely. to the axis of thershaft andhaving a fulcrum at itsImid-point fixed with respect tothe housing of"said bearing and in the vertical plane passing throughthe axis of saidshaft, and levers for transmitting the thrusts: exerted on said bearingmembers to the opposite ends of said rigid equalizing bar.

7. In a thrust bearing of the type having a thrust collar and a pair ofthrust receiving hearing members cooperating with a face of said collarand located at opposite points with respect to the shaft, means forequalizing the thrusts on said members comprising an equalizing leverextending transversely to the axis of the shaft and having a fulcrumintermediate its ends, and means for transmitting a predeterminedfraction of the thrusts exerted on said bearing members to the oppositeends of said equalizing lever including a pair of lever membersperpendicular to and engaging the ends of said equalizing lever, meansfor establishing a fixed fulcrum for each of said pair of lever membersand means for moving each of said lever members about its fulcrum inresponse to the thrust exerted upon one of said bearing members.

8. In a thrust bearing of the type having a thrust collar and a pair ofthrust receiving bearing members cooperating with a face of said collarand located at opposite points with respect to the shaft, means forequalizing the thrusts on said members comprising a substantiallystraight equalizing lever extending transversely to the axis of theshaft and having a fulcrum intermediate its ends, a pair ofsubstantially straight lever members in engagement with the oppositeends of said equalizing lever, a fulcrum for each of said lever membersfixed with respect to the housing of said bearing, and means fortransmitting the thrust exerted on each of said bearing members to oneof said lever members.

9. In a horizontal thrust bearing of the type having a thrust collar anda pair of thrust receiving bearing members cooperating with a face ofsaid collar and located at opposite points with respect to the shaft,means for equalizing the thrusts on said members comprising a horizontalrigid bar-like equalizing lever transverse to the axis of the shaft andhaving a fulcrum at its mid-point in the vertical plane through saidaxis, a pair of vertical rigid bar-like lever members perpendiculartosaid equalizing lever and each engaging one end thereof, a fixed fulcrumfor each of said lever members, and means for transmitting the thrustexerted on each of said bearing members to one of said vertical levermembers.

10. A two-shoe equalized thrust bearing for a horizontal shaft having athrust collar and comprising a pair of thrust receiving bearing shoescooperating with a face of said collar and located at opposite points ina horizontal plane with respect to said shaft, a horizontal equalizinglever transverse to said shaft and having a fulcrum at its mid-point inthe vertical plane passing through the axis of said shaft, and a leverassociated with each of said bearing shoes for transmitting the thrustexerted thereon to one end of said equalizing lever.

11. In a thrust bearing for a horizontal shaft, having a thrust collaron said shaft and a plurality of thrust receiving bearing shoes in en-'gagement with each face of said thrust collar, unitary means formeasuring the net thrust load exerted on all of said shoes irrespectiveof the direction of rotation of said shaft including a single member towhich is transmitted thrust from both faces of said thrust collar andmeans for indicating the movement of said member.

12. In a thrust bearing of the type embodying a thrust collar and aplurality of thrust receiving bearing elements on each side thereof, amovable member mounted in the bearing housing, means for moving saidmember in proportion to the resultant of the thrusts applied to thebearing shoes on both sides of said collar, and means for balancing saidresultant and indicating the resultant movements of said member as ameasure of the net thrust load exerted on said bearing.

13. In a thrust bearing for a shaft having a thrust collar and aplurality of bearing shoes in thrust receiving engagement with each faceof said collar, a bodily movable member mounted in the housing of saidbearing and operatively connected to receive the thrusts from all ofsaid shoes irrespective of the direction of rotation of said shaft, andmeans for balancing the resultant of said thrust and indicating theresultant movements of said member in response to said thrusts as ameasure of the net thrust load exerted on said bearing.

14. In a thrust bearing of the type embodying a thrust collar and a.plurality of thrust receiving bearing shoes on each side thereof, amovable member mounted in the bearing housing, means for transmitting tosaid member the thrust exerted on the shoes on one side of said collarwhereby said member is urged in one direction, means for transmitting tosaid member the thrust exerted on the shoes on the other side of saidcollar whereby said member is urged in the opposite direction, means foropposing movement of said member, and means for indicating the resultantmovements of said member as a measure of the net thrust load exerted onsaid bearing.

15. In a thrust bearing for a horizontal shaft having a thrust collar onsaid shaft and a plurality of thrust receiving bearing shoes inengagement with each face of said thrust collar, means for measuring thenet thrust exerted on all of said shoes irrespective of the direction ofrotation of said shaft comprising a rigid lever associated with each ofsaid shoes, each of said levers having a fixed fulcrum, means fortransmitting the thrust exerted on each of said shoes to its associatedlever, a movable member to which all of said levers are operativelyconnected, means for opposing movement of said member and means forindicating the resultant movements of said member as a measure of thenet thrust load exerted on said bearing.

16. In a thrust bearing for a shaft having a thrust collar and aplurality of bearing members in thrust receiving engagement with eachface of said thrust collar, levers cooperating with the bearing membersat both faces of said thrust collar for combining the pressures exertedon all of said bearing members and means actuated by said levers forindicating the net load exerted thereon irrespective of the direction ofrotation of said shaft.

17. In a thrust bearing for a shaft having a thrust collar and aplurality of bearing members in thrust receiving engagement with eachface of said thrust collar, a lever associated with each of said bearingmembers and adapted to be moved about its fulcrum in response to thethrust exerted upon its associated bearing member, means for opposingmovement of said levers, and means for indicating the resultantmovements of all of said levers as a measure of the net thrust loadapplied to said bearing.

18. In a thrust bearing for a shaft having a thrust collar and aplurality of bearing members in thrust receiving engagement with eachface of said thrust collar, a lever associated with each aosogsse.mounted in said bearing housing for movement in either direction, meansoperatively connecting the free end of each of said levers withsaid-member whereby the latter is moved in response to the resultant ofthe movements of said levers, means for 1 opposing movement of said.member, and. means for indicating the resultant movements of saidmember as a measure of the net thrust load on said bearing.

19. In a thrust bearing for a shaft having a thrust collar and a pair ofbearing shoes in thrust receiving engagement with each face of saidthrust collar, lever means associated with each pair of said bearingshoes, each of said lever means being fulcrumed adjacent one end andreceiving the thrusts from its associated shoes at points intermediatethe fulcrumed end and the opposite end thereof, a member mounted in thebearing housing. for movement in either direction, meansoperativelyconnecting said lever means withsaid member whereby the latter is movedin response tothe resultant of the movements of said lever means,resilient means for opposing movement of said member and meansforindicating the resultant movements of said member as a measure of thenet thrust load on-said bearing.

20;Ina thrustbearing for a shaft having a thrustcollar and'a pluralityof bearing members in thrust-receiving engagement with each face of saidthrustcollar, means for measuring the net thrust-exerted on all of saidbearing members irrespective of the-direction of rotation of said shaftcomprising a member mounted in the bearing housing for movement in.either direction, meansfor transmitting the thrust on each of said,bearing members to said member, resilient means tending to-urge saidmember to a normal central position and means for indicating thedisplacement of said member from its normal position as-a measure ofthenet-thrust-load on said bear- :ing.

21;" In a thrust-bearingfor a shaft having a thrust collarand aplurality of bearing members in. thrust receiving engagement with eachface of saidthrust collar, means for measuringthe net thrust exerted onall of said bearing members irrespective of the direction of rotation ofsaid shaft comprising .a bar transverse to the axis of said shafti'andmounted in the bearing housing for lat,- eral movement in eitherdirection, means tending to maintain said .bar in a central position,means for transmittingithe thrust oneach ofsaid bearing members'to saidbar, and meansfor-indicating the lateral displacement of said bar fromitsznormal position as a measure of the net thrust load on said bearing.

22. In a thrust bearingifor a shaft having a thrust collar and aplurality of bearing members inzthrust receiving engagement with eachface of said thrustcollar, means for measuring the net .thrust exertedon all of said bearing members'irrespective of the direction of rotationof said shaft comprising a horizontal bar transverse to the axis ofsaidshaft and mounted in the bearing-housing for lateral movement-ineither direction, the normalposition of said bar being substantiallyco-planar with said thrust collar, means tending to maintain "said barin its normal posi-' tion;means for transmitting the thrust on eachiofsaid'bearing members'to'said bar,:and means for indicating the lateraldisplacement of "said bar from its normal position asa measureof=the-net thrust load-on said bearing 23'. Ina-1a thrust bearing :for.a shaft -havi-ng a thrust collar and a plurality of bearing members in'thrust receiving engagement with eachface of said thrust collar, meanson each side of said thrust collar for equalizing the thrusts on thebearing members at that side of said collar,-v

and a'single means for combining the pressures existing 0n the oppositesides of said collar and indicating the net mean loadexerted on'ra'llof'i said bearing members irrespective of thedirec-w tionrof rotation ofsaid shaft.

241 In a thrust bearing for a horizontal shaft? having a thrust collarand a pairof bearingshoesin thrustreceivingengagement with'each face ofsaid thrustpollar, means cooperating with the shoes ofeach pair forequalizing the thruststothe shoes of said pair, and a single means forindi-- cating the net meanthrust load exerted onrboth pairsof said shoesirrespective of the direction of rotation-"of said shaft. 7

25; In a thrust bearing for a shaft having a thrust collar and a pair ofbearing shoes in thrust receiving engagement with each face of lsaidthrusticollar, means cooperating with the shoes of each pair forequalizing the thrusts on the shoes of saidpair, and means for measuring the net mean thrust exerted on all of-said shoes-irrespective ofthedirection of rotationon said shaft including a bar mounted inthe-bearing housing for lateral movement in either. direction andextending transversely to the axis of the shaft, means for transmittingto said bar the equalized thrusts from both of said pairs of bearingshoes, means tending to maintain said bar in'a normal position, andmeans for indicating the lateral displacements of said" bar from itsnormal positionin response to the thrusts;

transmitted thereto as a measure of the net mean thrust lo'ad onsaidbearing.

26. In a thrust bearing for a shaft havingnai.

thrust collar and a pair of bearing'shoes in thrust receivingengagementwith each face of said thrust collar, means cooperating with the shoesof each pair for equalizing the thrusts onxthe shoes of said pairincluding a lever and means for transmitting the thrusts from-said511088;[30 the opposite ends of said lever, and means for measuring thenet mean thrust exerted on all of said shoes irrespective of thedirection of ro tation of said shaft including a bar mounted in' thebearing housing for lateral movement in either direction and extendingtransversely tothe axis of' the shaft, the fulcrum points of said leversbeing on the opposite sides of said bar.,=.

means tending to maintain said bar ina normal position, and means forindicating the displacement of said rbarifrom its normal position: inresponse to the thrusts transmitted throughsaid fulcrum points.

2'7. In a thrust bearing for a shaft having a thrust collar and aplurality of bearing members 7 in thrust receiving engagement with eachface of said thrust collar, a bar mounted in the bear ing housing forlateral movement in either direc tion and extending transversely to theaxis of the shaft, means for transmitting to said bar the thrustsreceived by all of said bearing members whereby saidloar is movedlaterally in response to the resultant net thrust, and means formeasuring the displacement of said bar from its nor-' mal position as ameasure of said net thrust com- I prising a'lever fixedly iulcrumed insaid bearing housing and 0peratively 'connected to "said ban meanstending to maintain said bar, and lever in a normal position and meansactuated by said lever for indicating the movements of said bar andlever.

28. In a thrust bearing for a horizontal shaft having a thrust collarand a pair of bearing shoes in thrust receiving engagement with eachface of said thrust collar, a horizontal bar mounted for lateralmovement in either direction within the bearing housing and extendingtransversely of the axis of the shaft, the normal position of said bar.being substantially co-planar with said collar, means for transmittingto said bar thrusts received by all of said bearing shoes whereby saidbar is moved laterally in response to the resultant net thrust, andmeans for measuring the displacement of said bar from its normalposition as a measure of said net thrust comprising a lever fixedlyfulcrumed in said bearing housing and having one end operativelyconnected to said bar, the normal position of said lever beingsubstantially vertical and co-planar with said collar and bar, resilientmeans continually urging said lever to its normal position, andindicating means actuated by the other end of said lever for indicatingthe movements of said bar and lever.

29. In a thrust bearing for a shaft having a thrust collar and a pair ofbearing shoes in thrust receiving engagement with each face of saidthrust collar, means cooperating with the shoes of each pair forequalizing the thrusts on the shoes of said pair including an equalizinglever extending transversely to the axis of the shaft and having afulcrum intermediate its ends and a pair of lever members fulcrumed inthe bearing housing and transmitting the thrusts on said shoes to theopposite ends of said equalizing lever, and means for measuring the netamount of the equalized thrusts on said pairs of shoes of said bearingirrespective of the direction of rotation of said shaft.

30. In a thrust bearing for a shaft having a thrust collar and a pair ofbearing shoes in thrust -receiving engagement with each face of saidthrust collar, means cooperating with the shoes of each pair forequalizing the thrusts on the shoes of said pair including an equalizinglever extending transversely to the axis of the shaft and having afulcrum intermediate its ends and a pair of lever members fulcrumed inthe bearing housing and transmitting the thrusts on said shoes to theopposite ends of said equalizing lever, and means for measuring the netamount of the equalized thrusts on said pairs of shoes of said bearingirrespective of the direction of rotation of said shaft including a barmounted in said bearing housing for lateral movement in either directionand extending transversely to the axis of the shaft, the fulcrum pointsof said equalizing levers being on the opposite sides of said bar, andmeans for indicating the lateral displacement of said bar from itsnormal position in response to the equalized thrusts transmitted throughsaid fulcrum points as a measure of the net mean thrust load on saidbearing.

31. In a thrust bearing for a shaft having a thrust collar and a pair ofbearing members in thrust receiving engagement Withone face of saidthrust collar, means for equalizing the, thrusts on said membersincluding an equalizing lever extending transversely to the axis of theshaft, to the opposite ends of which lever the thrusts on said bearingmembers are transmitted,

and means for indicating the angularity of said 7 equalizing lever withrespect to the axis of said shaft.

32. In a thrust bearing for a shaft having a thrust collar and a pair ofbearing members in thrust receiving engagement with one face of saidthrust collar, means for equalizing the thrusts on said membersincluding an equalizing lever extending transversely to the axis of theshaft, to the opposite ends of which lever the thrusts on said bearingmembers are transmitted, and means for indicating the angularity of saidequalizing lever with respect to the axis of said shaft comprising anindicator arm fulcrumed intermediate its ends in the bearing housing andhaving one end thereof secured to one end of said equalizing lever, andscale means cooperating with the other end of said indicator arm.

33. In a thrust bearing'for a shaft having a pendicular to the axis ofsaid shaft, and means for indicating the displacement of said lever fromsaid normal position.

34. In a thrust bearing, for a shaft having a thrust collar and a pairof bearing shoes in thrust receiving engagement with one face of saidthrust collar, an equalizing lever extending transversely to the axis ofsaid shaft, a pair of lever members each engaging one end of saidequalizing lever and also receiving the thrust from one of said shoes,means for providing a fulcrum for each of said lever members, the normalno-load position of said equalizing. lever when said shoes are properlyadjusted being perpendicular to the axis of said shaft, and means forindicating the displacement of said equalizing lever from said normalposition.

35. In a thrust bearing of the type embodying a pair of thrust receivingbearing members located at opposite points with respect to the shaft andan equalizing lever extending transversely to said shaft to the oppositeends of which lever the thrusts on said bearing members are applied,

means for indicating the angularity of said equalizing lever withrespect to the axis of said shaft comprising an indicator arm fulcrumedin the bearing housing and secured to one end of said equalizing lever,and scale means cooperating with said indicator arm.

36. In a thrust bearing of the type embodying a'pair of bearing shoes inthrust receiving engagement with one face of a thrust collar and meansfor adjusting the positions of said shoes, an equalizing lever, leversfor receiving the thrusts from both of said shoes and transmitting thesame to said equalizing lever, an indicator arm, means for fulcrumingsaid arm in the bearing housing, means for operatively connecting saidarm to said equalizing lever, and scale means 00- operating with saidarm for providing a visible indication of the position of said adjustingmeans.

37. A self-contained mechanism for equalizing the thrusts transmitted tothe bearing members of a thrust bearing, comprising a casing, thrustequalizing elements housed within said casing 38. A self-containedequalizing mechanism adapted for use with a thrust bearing of the typehaving thrust receiving bearing members and means for normallytransmitting the thrusts therefrom to the thrust bearing housing,comprising a casing, thrust equalizing elements housed within saidcasing, and means for detachably connecting said casing to the thrustbearing housing in such position that the thrusts from said bearinmembers are transmitted to said equalizing elements through the agencyof said thrust transmitting means.

39. A self-contained mechanism for equalizing the thrusts transmitted tothe bearing members,

of a thrust bearing, comprising a casing, an equalizing lever mounted insaid casing and having a fulcrum intermediate its ends, means housedwithin said casing and adapted to receive the thrusts from said bearingmembers and to transmit said thrusts to the opposite ends of saidequalizing lever, and means for detachably mounting said casing and itscontained elements on the thrust bearing housing in position to receiveand equalize said thrusts.

40. A self-contained equalizing mechanism adapted for use with a thrustbearing of the type having a pair of bearing members in thrust receivingengagement with one side of a thrust collar and thrust pins for normallytransmitting the thrusts from said bearing members to the thrust bearinghousing, comprising a casing, an equalizing lever fulcrumed in saidcasing at a point intermediate its ends, means for receiving the thrustsfrom said thrust pins and transmitting the same to the opposite ends ofsaid equalizing lever, said casing having an opening therein throughwhich said thrust pins may extend, and means for detachably connectingsaid casing and its contained elements to the thrust bearing housing inposition to receive and equalize said thrusts.

41. A self-contained mechanism for equalizing the thrusts transmitted tothe bearing members of a thrust bearing, comprising a casing, anequalizing lever fulcrumed at its mid-point in said casing, a pair oflever members fulcrumed in said housing and in thrust transmittingengagement with the opposite ends of said equalizing 20 lever, and meansfor attaching and detaching said casing and its contained lever elementsas a unit to and from the thrust bearing housing, said casing having anopening therein through which the thrust from each bearing member may betrans- 25 mitted to one of said last named lever members.

HARRY A. S. HOWARTH.

